Acts 28:3 Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand.
Paul has had a rough road: He was falsely accused, and even though not enough evidence against him was found, his own people, the Jews, objected to his release, prompting his appeal to Caesar. He went through a terrible storm that destroyed the entire ship (and left everyone traumatized, I’m sure). Now he is doing the right thing, the godly thing, serving others by gathering sticks for the fire when a viper bites him. Seriously?!?
Acts 28:4 When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.”
What strikes me most, though, is Paul’s reaction. He simply shakes the snake off into the fire and continues to serve. He doesn’t rant and rave. He doesn’t curse and scream. He doesn’t demand to know why he’s being persecuted (all reactions that I am guilty of under stress and duress). He shakes it off and keeps going, resting in God’s promise to him.
Acts 28:5 But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects.
Lord, Forgive me when I get overwhelmed and react badly. Thank You for understanding the way that I’m wired, the way that I process. Thank You also for showing me a better way to respond—peace and trust in You. It’s hard for me to see how I can change that much, but I know that with You, all things are possible. Help me to trust, Lord. Amen.
Acts 28:6 The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.
Have a blessed day.